As the nation of Israel missed the mystery of the Gospel, many in the Church are in danger of missing the mystery of Israel in the end-times. Simply said, God's end-time plans include the covenant nation and people of Israel. This is the clear teaching of the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 11. In Romans 11:25 the Word of God tells us "that blindness in PART has happened to Israel UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles come in." In the time of the end, God will once again turn His attention to Israel. All the promises that He made to His chosen nation will be fulfilled. God's reputation is at stake, and He will do what He said He would do. Now, the question is this: what will it look like when God once again turns toward Israel? There are two things that will help us answer this question. First is the "controversy of Zion" as recorded in Isaiah 34:8. Secondly is "the time of Jacob's trouble" spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 30:7.
Let me start by defining these two biblical subjects. The "controversy of Zion" can be defined as the continuing natural and spiritual conflict over the city of Jerusalem; the past, present and future land of Israel; and the Jewish people whose ancient history and prophetic destiny are inseparably linked. "The time of Jacob's trouble" refers to the end of the age where the Jewish people will suffer intensely but also be gloriously restored. It is the time of "trouble" that will lay the controversy to rest when God restores the Kingdom to Israel and at the same time judges the nations that came against her. Failure to understand and embrace this truth will be a grave error for those in the world and for those in the church. The Apostle Paul warned of this danger for the Church in Romans 11:20-21. We would do well to heed that warning.
So then, Israel's greatest glory as well as her greatest suffering is yet future. We can all rejoice in Israel's future glory, but what about her future suffering? Will the Church be there to share in her suffering when it comes? Unfortunately, in Nazi Germany the Church failed to be there when the Jews were in great need. But what about the next Holocaust, "the time of Jacobs's trouble," Israel's most intense time of suffering ever? That question is yet to be answered, but it will be. When the Antichrist rages against Israel at the time of the "Desolation of Abomination" (Matthew 24:15ff) and she is shattered and scattered to the nations, will the Church be there for her? Will the church be there when anti-Semitism explodes exponentially on a worldwide scale? Will the Church be "Corrie ten Boom" and the "Hiding Place" that will love and take care of the Jewish people?
I feel that a big part of my calling is to awaken the Church to this truth. It is my conviction that as the Lord is turning His heart toward Israel in these last days so will those in the Church who are in tune with His heart do likewise. Is there a yes in your spirit to this word? Will you be a part of the Church that will love and care for Israel in the day of her suffering? My prayer is that as you become more prophetically awakened to the mystery of Israel in these last days, your love and burden for her will grow.
I'll close with these thoughts. With the so-called Arab uprising continuing in the Middle East, and with the most recent events of Turkey and Egypt turning away from Israel, it begs the question of just how close we may be to "the time of Jacob's trouble." How close might we be to the time that the prophets saw when Israel would go through the worst suffering in her entire history? I believe it could be at the doors. All the more reason for the Church to be fully awake and ready to bless God's chosen people. At the same time, let us also keep in mind of how close we are to realizing the greatest days ever on this planet--the golden days of the reign of the Messiah when both restored Israel and the Church will rule and reign with the Lord for a thousand years!
Wake up Church, let us hear the voice of the Spirit and follow after what God is doing in these days of days. We are almost there! Shalom on both Israel and the Last Days Church!
Let me start by defining these two biblical subjects. The "controversy of Zion" can be defined as the continuing natural and spiritual conflict over the city of Jerusalem; the past, present and future land of Israel; and the Jewish people whose ancient history and prophetic destiny are inseparably linked. "The time of Jacob's trouble" refers to the end of the age where the Jewish people will suffer intensely but also be gloriously restored. It is the time of "trouble" that will lay the controversy to rest when God restores the Kingdom to Israel and at the same time judges the nations that came against her. Failure to understand and embrace this truth will be a grave error for those in the world and for those in the church. The Apostle Paul warned of this danger for the Church in Romans 11:20-21. We would do well to heed that warning.
So then, Israel's greatest glory as well as her greatest suffering is yet future. We can all rejoice in Israel's future glory, but what about her future suffering? Will the Church be there to share in her suffering when it comes? Unfortunately, in Nazi Germany the Church failed to be there when the Jews were in great need. But what about the next Holocaust, "the time of Jacobs's trouble," Israel's most intense time of suffering ever? That question is yet to be answered, but it will be. When the Antichrist rages against Israel at the time of the "Desolation of Abomination" (Matthew 24:15ff) and she is shattered and scattered to the nations, will the Church be there for her? Will the church be there when anti-Semitism explodes exponentially on a worldwide scale? Will the Church be "Corrie ten Boom" and the "Hiding Place" that will love and take care of the Jewish people?
I feel that a big part of my calling is to awaken the Church to this truth. It is my conviction that as the Lord is turning His heart toward Israel in these last days so will those in the Church who are in tune with His heart do likewise. Is there a yes in your spirit to this word? Will you be a part of the Church that will love and care for Israel in the day of her suffering? My prayer is that as you become more prophetically awakened to the mystery of Israel in these last days, your love and burden for her will grow.
I'll close with these thoughts. With the so-called Arab uprising continuing in the Middle East, and with the most recent events of Turkey and Egypt turning away from Israel, it begs the question of just how close we may be to "the time of Jacob's trouble." How close might we be to the time that the prophets saw when Israel would go through the worst suffering in her entire history? I believe it could be at the doors. All the more reason for the Church to be fully awake and ready to bless God's chosen people. At the same time, let us also keep in mind of how close we are to realizing the greatest days ever on this planet--the golden days of the reign of the Messiah when both restored Israel and the Church will rule and reign with the Lord for a thousand years!
Wake up Church, let us hear the voice of the Spirit and follow after what God is doing in these days of days. We are almost there! Shalom on both Israel and the Last Days Church!
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